In 1985 a shambling, lovable British postpunk act called the Mekons returned from a lengthy hiatus (most thought they were long gone) to release Fear and Whiskey. Originally issued on the band"s own label, Fear and Whiskey brazenly married drunken, anthemic punk rock ("Beaten and Broken"), a DIY ethos ("Garage D"Or"), existentialist humor (practically every song), and country & western music ("Lost Highway," "$1,000 Wedding"). It"s one of those rock clichés to say that a record sounds as startling and fresh today as it did when it was released, but this record really sounds as astonishing and novel as ever. The Mekons have always been aces at reenergizing clichéd musical forms (except for their few stabs at reggae in the "80s), and this is likely the only "cowpunk" record you"ll need. The retitled CD reissue adds selections from EPs released shortly after Fear and Whiskey; it is the first record to own by this ridiculously brilliant band. --Mike McGonigal